The move was an effort to “stay current” with food-safety and traceability requirements, Hickman said.

The system provides instant traceability of all items, Hickman said.

“It has a bar code on the package that will be read when it enters a chain store’s warehouse, and this will give the actual field location where the potatoes were grown and the location of the packing shed,” he said.

Hickman said his company ships about 16.8 million pounds of potatoes yearly.

The company also is changing its 5- and 10-pound polybags to a light-blocking system this year, too, Hickman said.

Fifer Orchards makes upgrades

Wyoming, Del.-based Fifer Orchards built a new loading dock at one of its facilities this year, said Curt Fifer, sales director.

There are other changes, as well. He said the company doubled its capacity on high tunnels, in which it grows tomatoes and kale.

The company’s growing operation also now is all irrigated with overhead or triple irrigation, Fifer said.

Among other changes, the company is getting a comprehensive GlobalG.A.P. audit this year, Fifer said. It also is doing case labeling and is now fully complaint with the Produce Traceability Initiative, with bar codes and labels on all products.

In addition, Fifer Orchards is adding trucks to strengthen its service to the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore markets, Fifer said.